Hydraulic clutch of the transversely movable piston type



Jun 1948. .1. F. EKLEBERRY 2,442,999

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH OF THE TRANSVERSELY MOVABLE PISTON TYPE Filed NOV. 10, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor (fer/7726i fleleercy.

' Filed Nov. 10,1945 a Sheets-Sheet 2 311m 1948. J. F. EKLEIBERRY 2,442,999

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH OF THE TRANSVERSELY MOVABLE PISTON TYPE Q v "Q '7 a m & Inventor June 8, 1948. J EKLEBERRY 2,442,999

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH OF THE TRANSV E FRSELY MOVABLE PISTON TYPE Filed Nov. 10, 1945 v 3 Sheets-Sheet Inventor fr/ms 1 ff al a/ ay.

Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH OF THE TRANS- VERSELY MOVABLE PISTON TYPE James F. Ekleberry, Miami, Fla., assignor of onehalf to 0. Roy Miller, Miami, Fla.

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a fluid drive, and more particularly to a fluid clutch connection between a drive member and a driven member.

'A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved fluid drive mechanism whereby a drive shaft may impart power to a driven shaft with a maximum of efliciency, and a minimum of lost power.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a connection characterized by a fluid filled, fluid tight housing containing a movable casing and a rotatable drum having a plurality of reciprocable pistons therein, the pistons being driven by an eccentric in such manner as to circulate the fluid, in accordance with the position of the casing with relation to the drum to impart through the fluid the power of the drive shaft to the driven shaft in accordance with the relative positions of the internal elements thereof.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an improved control means for such a device, characterized by means whereby the fluid circulation between the two housings may be increased or retarded in accordance with the degree of power it is desired to impart to the driven shaft, in respect to the power provided by the drive shaft.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of such a device characterized by a relative minimum of working parts, whereby extreme smoothness of drive is obtained, which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a side or edge elevational View of one form of device embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a front or face elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken through the casing showing certain interior parts thereof in elevation.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 2 through the casing and the interior mechanism thereof substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the parts in a different position of adjustment.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 7 but showing the parts in a, still difierent position of adjustment.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line of Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The fluid drive or clutch of the instant invention comprises a cylindrical casing 20, to which are secured as by means of a plurality of screws 2| and 22, respectively, side plates 23 and 24. The side plate 23 is provided with a centrally disposed aperture having a bushing 25 therein to which is secured as by screws 26 a sealing ring 21 compressing therein a sealing gasket 28 against the sides 'of a drive shaft 29. The drive shaft 29 terminates in a stub shaft 30, journalled in a recess 3| in a driven shaft 32, which enters through a suitable bushing 33 in side plate 24, through a sealing ring 35 secured to bushing 33 as by a series of screws 36, and compressing a sealing gasket or ring 31.

Thus it will be seen that the drive shaft and the driven shaft terminate-in fluid tight sealed relation within the housing formed by the casing2ll and the end plates 23 and '24.

The driven shaft 32 terminates interiorly of the housing 20 in a drum 40 provided with a plurality of radial bores 4| therethrough. The bores 3| are substantially identical in configuration, and are formed in two rows, in alignment that is in such a manner that the radical bores of the first are spaced parallel to the radial bores of the second row. Each of the bores 4| contains a piston 42, terminating at its inner extremity as best shown in Figure 11 in a bifurcated portion comprised of bifurcations 43 between which is mounted a guide roller 44 as on a pin 45. Each guide roller is surrounded by a band 46. The guide rollers are cut away to form an interior channel 41 between the bifurcations 43, which channel accommodates a rotatable guide ring 48, which guide ring is positioned for rotation in a central cavity in the drum 40.

The drive shaft 29 is provided with two oppositely disposed eccentrics 50, each in alignment with one of the rings 48 in the central bore of the drum 40, the arrangement being such that the eccentric abuts at all times the rollers 44 of each of the pistons 42 in both of the radial groups thereof.

Thus it willbe see'n th'at rotation'ofthe driven shaft 29 causes alternate radial reciprocation of the series of pistons 52, in sequential relation, one row being forced outwardly, while the adjacent piston thereof in the associated row isin'its innermost position.

Surrounding the drum 40 in slidable relation therewith is a sleeve provided withaplurality of radial ports 52 so aligned that when'the sleeve is in one position of adjustment; as best shown in Figure 5 the ports 52 will align with the openings of the bores 4|.

As best shown in Figures 5, 7 and 9, the sleeve 5| isconnected with-the drum 40 asbymeans of a-plur'ality of incline'd slots 53 'intlie' sleeve within which are engaged pins '5'4 'carried by thedrum 4B.

Thus it will be seen that linear movement of the sleeve 5| with respect to drum 40 is translated simultaneously into rotative angularly displaced movement withrespectthereto;

Means are provided for accomplishing such linearra'dial movement, and takes the form of a series of peripheral channels 55 about the exterior of sleeve 5!, which are engaged by oppositely disposed gears 56;- mounted on shafts 57; which shafts 51 extend exteriorly of oppositely positioned flanges 53 mounted on the sides of the housing 20. From the foregoing it will now be seen that simultaneous rotation of the shafts 51, which may be efie'eted in any desired conventional manner will serve to move the drum 5| linearly within the housing 20, and hence linearly with respect to' the drum 40,. but that such linear movement with respect tothe drum: dil'will be translatedinto radial movement by virtue of the pin and slot connection previously described.

Thehousing 20 is fluid filled with any suitable hydraulic fluid; and it" will be seen that when the parts are in the position disclosed in Figures-5 and 6 with the ports 52 aligned with each of the bores 4 that the pressure exerted on the fluidtherewithinby the pistons 42 will pass radially through the ports into the housing and be relatively freely circulated therewithin. Under such conditions-it will be apparent that the rotation ofthe drive shaft 29-will' have substantially' no effect on the driven shaft 32 and that the drive will be insubstantially neutral position. However, when the ports are partially closed as shown in Figures '7' and 8, a certain amount of torque will inevitably be imparted by the rotation of the shaft 29 to the driven shaft 32 and" in accordance with the relative opening left by the position of the ports 52' as effected by the sleeve 51 the driven shaft will rotate at a speed relative to the speedof the driven shaft in accordance with the relative opening left between the ports 52 and the bores 41. Correspon'ding-ly, when the ports are moved to fully closed position as shown in Figures 9 and 10 and the full impact of the fluid as driven by the pistons 42- is imparted to the drum 40', it .will be understood that afull' fluid drive will be effected and that the driven shaft 32 will rotate at a speed, andwith a smoothness, substantially equivalent to that of the drive shaft;

Thus it will be seen that there is herein pro- '4 vided an improved fluid drive mechanism wherein the relative speed of drive and driven shafts may be regulated with a maximum of efliciency, and with a minimum of lost power or motion between such members, and whereby an effective clutch may be realized without the necessity of shifting gears, or similar common expedients.

From theiforegoing it will now be: seen that there is herein provided animproved-fi'uid drive accomplishing all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance;

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications maybe made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In avfluid' drive;.inicombination, afluidzfilled housing, a; drive:shaftr having an? eccentric thereon in said housing; a driven shaft havinga drum thereon in. said housing. said' drum having; a central: aperture into which saideccentric ex tends, and a plurality of? radial bores there:- through; pistons in saidz bores-reciprocable by said eccentric, and means; for opening and clos-- ing said bores, said last mentioned means: includinga sleeve, having apertures-therein nor-- mally coincident with-the exterior mouths of said bores, slidable and rotatable onsaid' drum, said sleeve having a; pin: and slot' connection with saiddrum to effect rotativemovement thereof when'moved axially of SflldySlBBVi-l.

2. In a fluid drive; incombination, a fluid filled housing; a-drive shaft having an eccentric-there.- on in' said housing, adrivenshaft having adrum thereon in said housing, saiddrum having a central aperture into which saideccentric extends, and aplurality of radial bores therethrough, pistons in said bores reciprocable by said eccentric, meansfor opening and: closing said bores, said last mentioned. means including a sleevehaving apertures therein normally coincident, withthe exterior mouths of said bores slidable and rotatable on said drum, said sleeve having a pinand slot connection with said; drum to. effect rotative movement thereof when moved. axially of said sleeve, and meansfor moving said, sleeve from the exterior of said. housing,

3. In a fluid drive, in combination, a fluid filled housing, a drive shaft having an eccentric thereon-insaid housing, a driven shaft having a drum thereon in saidhousing, saiddrumhaving a central aperture into which said eccentric extends, and a plurality of radial bores therethrough, pistons in said bore reciprocable by said eccentric, means for opening and closing said bores, said last mentioned means including. a sleeve having apertures therein normally coincident' with the exterior mouths of said bores slidable and rotatable on said drum, said sleeve having a pin andslot connection with said drum to effect rotative movement thereof when moved axially of said sleeve,- and means-for moving said sleeve from the exterior of said: housing, said last mentioned means including peripheral teeth on said sleeve, gears coacting-with said teeth, and shafts connected to said-gears extending out of said drum.

4. In a fluid drive, in combination, a; fluid filled housing, a drive shaft having an eccentric thereon in said housing, a driven shaft havinga drum thereon in said: housing, said drum havin a central aperture into which said eccentric extends and a plurality of radial bores therethrough, pistons in said bores reciprocable by said eccentric, each of said pistons having a bifurcated inner extremity, a roller journalled between said bifurcations, but positioned to leave a space therebetween outwardly of said rollers, said rollers contacting said eccentric, and an annular ring extending through all of said spaces about said central aperture, and means for varying the extent of the outer opening of said bores through said drum, said last mentioned means including a sleeve having apertures therein normally coincident with the exterior mouths of said bores axially slidable and rotatable on. said drum, said sleeve having a pin and slot connection, said pin being aflixed to said drum, and said slot being helically disposed in said sleeve, to effect rotative movement of said sleeve with respect to said drum when moved axially of said drum.

5. In a fluid drive, in combination, a fluid filled housing, a drive shaft having an eccentric thereon in said housing, a driven shaft having a drum thereon in said housing, said drum having a central aperture into which said eccentric extends and a plurality of radial bores therethrough, pistons in said bores reciprocable by said eccentric, each of said pistons having a bifurcated inner extremity, a roller journalled between said bifurcations, but positioned to leave a space therebetween outwardly of said rollers, said rollers contacting said eccentric, and an annular ring extending through all of said spaces about said central aperture, and means for varying the extent of the outer opening of said bores through said drum, said last mentioned means including a sleeve having apertures therein normally coincident with the exterior mouths of said bores axially slidable and rotatable on said drum, said sleeve having a pin and slot connection, said pin being aflixed to said drum, and said slot being helically disposed in said sleeve, to efiect rotative movement of said sleeve with respect to said drum when moved axially of said drum, and means for moving said sleeve from the exterior of said housing.

6. In a fluid drive, in combination, a fluid filled housing, a drive shaft having an eccentric thereon in said housing, a driven shaft having a drum thereon in said housing, said drum having a central aperture into which said eccentric extends and a plurality of radial bores therethrough, pistons in said bores reciprocable by said eccentrio, each of said pistons having a bifurcated inner extremity, a roller journalled between said bifurcations, but positioned to leave a space therebetween outwardly of said rollers, said rollers contacting said eccentric, and an annular ring extending through all of said spaces about said central aperture, and means for varying the extent of the outer opening of said bores through said drum, said last mentioned means including a sleeve having apertures therein normally coincident with the exterior mouths of said bores axially slidable and rotatable on said drum, said sleeve having a pin and slot connection, said pin being affixed to said drum, and said slot being helically disposed in said sleeve, to effect rotative movement of said sleeve with respect to said drum when moved axially of said drum, and means for moving said sleeve from the exterior of said housing, said'last mentioned means including peripheral teeth on said drum, gears coacting with said teeth and shafts connected to said gears extending exteriorly of said drum.

JAMES F. EKDEBERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 825,416 Rice July 10, 1906 1,334,864 Jones et a1. Mar. 23,1920 1,609,429 Rockwell Dec. 7, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 449,269 Great Britain June 24, 1936 

